Grantee Research Project Results
2014 Progress Report: Portable Solar Water Purification System for Public Use during Disaster Recovery
EPA Grant Number: SU835290Title: Portable Solar Water Purification System for Public Use during Disaster Recovery
Investigators: Tang, Yan , Compere, Marc , Wong, Yung , Pinto, Shavin
Current Investigators: Tang, Yan , Compere, Marc , Wong, Yung , Pinto, Shavin , Solorzano, Geovanni
Institution: Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Phase: II
Project Period: August 15, 2012 through August 14, 2014 (Extended to August 14, 2015)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 15, 2013 through August 14,2014
Project Amount: $89,944
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2012) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Progress Summary:
Prototype Development
We have continued to improve the design of DROP (Disaster Ready On-site Purifier, formerly known AquaPack). The major focus was on the backpack redesign. We subcontracted the design out to Ehmke Manufacturing Co. Inc., the leading expert making custom sewn good for military, to make the backpacks (Figure 1). Compared to the original pelican case prototype, this design provides better protection for filters and improved ergonomics for carrying.
Figure 1. DROP
Business Development
The team has created a startup company AquaSolve Ventures which aims to design and manufacture sustainable water purification systems for both developing countries and military and disaster relief. We have filed a provisional patent and a full patent will be submitted soon. We have determined the ownership of the intellectual property and signed the licensing agreement with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The team has won the 2014 Cairns Foundation Innovation Challenge, sponsored by Cairns Foundation for encouraging student entrepreneurs in Volusia County. The team also won the EPA P3 Elevator Pitch Award.
The team has attended several trade shows to demonstrate our products to military and disaster relief workforce, and the prototype has received interests from them. We are in the process of selling the first product to Volusia County Emergency Management.
Results Alignment
The team is on track to accomplishing what was originally proposed, though we had to request a no-cost extension due to the delay in the backpack manufacturing.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 4 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Solar, Filtration, Sustainability, Green Business, Health, Membrane FiltrationProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
Portable Solar Water Purification System for Public Use during Disaster Recovery | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.